Fiona Chiu: Chinese family tree

Context

Students are provided with the opportunity to learn about the history of Chinese immigration to Australia using historical documents, photos and other resources. Key events that affected the lives of Chinese Australians, including changes in Australia's immigration policy, are examined. In the process of creating a storyboard, students can examine the impact of the Chinese on Australia’s identity over a period of time.

Opportunities for Civics and Citizenship learning

‘Fiona Chiu: Chinese family tree’ provides opportunities for students to:

• examine the history of Chinese immigration to Australia

• discuss the events that impacted on Chinese people migrating to Australia

• recognise the impact Chinese immigration has had on Australian culture and identity 

• consider issues of racial prejudice that affected Chinese Australians

• review changes to Australia’s immigration policy 

• reflect on their own life journey and heritage and that of their classmates.

Ideas for the classroom

• Place a large piece of paper on the floor and divide it into four sections. Explain to the class that they will be looking at the influence of Chinese immigration to Australia.

• Break the class into four groups and ask them to write in their square the ways that Chinese groups have influenced Australian life.

• Ask a representative of each group to report back their findings.

• Explain to the groups that they are going to create a documentary storyboard of Fiona Chiu’s family history using documents, photos and other objects.

• Ask students to look at the learning object and complete the task. Have them reflect on what they knew prior to completing the storyboard, what they know now and whether there is further information they would like to find out.

• To complete the activity, ask students to create a storyboard for their own life story.